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About the author
Harald Penrose was at London University from 1922 to 1926, where he studied aeronautical engineering. In 1926 he joined Westland as a designer-technician, and a year later learned to fly in the Royal Air Force Reserve. In 1928 he was made manager at Westland Civil Aircraft and achieved his commercial-class pilot’s licence enabling him to participate in testing the aircraft he built. Three years later he was appointed chief test pilot, and over the next two decades flew nearly 400 types and variants of aircraft of British and foreign design, embracing light planes, fighters, bombers, airliners, seaplanes, autogiros and helicopters. In 1946 he was awarded the OBE. In 1953 he became group sales manager of the combined Westland, Fairey, Saunders-Roe and Bristol divisions, followed two years later by appointment as special director. His 42 year career witnessed many of the most important and exciting developments in British aeronautical design and engineering, and brought him in touch with major personalities in the world aviation scene.
Harald Penrose retired in 1968 and his wide knowledge of aviation took a literary slant, his many works including a five-volume history of British aviation.
